Parent & Student Handbook
2004/2005
Principal (435) 678-1298
Secretary (435) 678-1296
(435) 672-2233
Kitchen (435) 678-1420
FAX (435) 678-1297
INTRODUCTION
Dear Parents and Student,
The staff of
We are committed to the
goal of providing your child with a quality education in a safe and supportive
school environment. This handbook will
give you basic information about what happens at school and how to work with
the school organization.
This book is organized
from the point of view of a child attending school at Bluff for the first
time. It starts with ideas about what
children and parents do to prepare for school, continues with morning routines,
registration requirements, bus information, and daily school routines. A map of the building is included, along with
a list of staff and assignments. Some
district information is also included.
Keep this booklet where
you can find it easily. It will answer
many of your questions and give you ideas that will help you support your child
as he works his way through to high school graduation.
Good luck, welcome to
Sincerely,
Verona McDermott , Principal
BEFORE YOUR CHILD ATTENDS SCHOOL
1. Children
whose parents read to them at home when they are young do better in school.
2. Children whose parents talk to them about things that are important to children do better at school. Some of these discussions seem unimportant compared to adult issues, but they are important for children.
3. Children who get 9 or 10 hours of rest every night do better in school. No late-night videos with the grown-ups!
4. Social
skills affect a child’s readiness to learn:
Children who talk problems out rather than fighting problems out will
get along better in school settings.
5. Children
who have a good breakfast every day and regular evening meals
are better prepared for school. (The
school serves a breakfast every day.)
REGISTRATION
When you bring your child to school for the first time, you will need to
bring
a
birth certificate and
an
immunization record
State law requires that children must be five (5) years old before
September 1 to enroll in regular school.
Students who turn 5 on or after September 1 will need to wait a
year. No exceptions, sorry. We make a copy of the birth certificate to
keep in your child’s permanent record. The
following forms are filled out once at registration and updated as needed:
1. Registration
2.
3. PL874
form (non-Navajo students only)
4. Indian
Student Eligibility (by anyone claiming benefits of tribal membership)
5. Student
Record Request (if transferring from another school)
Forms to be filled out this year:
1. Contract
carrier
2. Commercial
accident insurance (optional)
3. Internet
access permission
Tables,
chairs, and pens will be available for you to sit down and fill out this
paperwork.
IMMUNIZATIONS
State law requires
students to have all their immunizations before entering school. A student may not enter school without an
immunization record. When you bring your
child to register for the first time, please bring her immunization record with
you. If you are registering from another
school, that school will give you a copy of their record when you check
out.
If immunization is against
the beliefs of your religious organization, the parent/guardian of a student
claiming a personal exception from immunization must provide the school with a
“Personal Exemption Form.” The form can
be obtained at the local health department.
SCHOOL LUNCH
We are pleased to inform you that all students
attending Bluff Elementary will be receiving meals at no cost for the 2004/2005
school year. Having meals available to
all students free of charge in our school is a result of the District’s
election to participate in provision 2 of the National School Lunch Program.
Our school serves
nutritious meals every day. All meals
must meet patterns established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The
kitchen will serve breakfast until
THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Sometimes small children
are afraid to leave their mother when they come to school for the first
time. It’s a difficult thing for
mothers, too. It doesn’t seem to be so
difficult when dad brings them. It also
helps to send them with older children.
If your child has trouble separating from you, here are a few rules:
1. Do not let the child mislead you with other claims such as
minor aches or pains. Usually nothing
else is wrong. OK, if he has a fever or
an obvious injury, listen to him. But be
prepared for lots of excuses. Nobody
likes to admit they’re afraid.
2. Deal tenderly but firmly with the need to leave mom now and
go to school, and the fears your child may have. "Yes, you will come home to me tonight
on the bus with your older sister. I
want to hear all about your day at school.
Play with your cousin Jack at recess. " For
example.
3. You may stay in the room with him for a while, but you have
things to do and can’t spend every day all day in there. So don’t stay long, if at all. It doesn’t help the problem, only postpones it.
4. Do not sneak away.
Tell your child that it is time for you to go now, then
go now. If you need help, the principal
will help you as per your request. Your
child will not trust you if you say you will stay and then sneak off.
5. In rare cases, a child will need counseling about separation
or may be too emotionally immature to attend school. If other measures do not solve the separation
problem, let us know and we’ll work with you.
6. You are not alone.
Other parents and children have the same feelings, and some are dealing
with the same problem as you are.
REGISTER AT THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL
The old school joke is
that we don’t reach full enrollment until after the Shiprock
Fair. This is no longer true, but it is
important that your child enroll on time at the start of school. The constant influx of new students
throughout the first month prevents the teacher from starting class work right
away. Listen to KUTA, KTNN, KRTZ, KNDN for information on the start of school. Or look for posters at the Post Office and
stores and on our marquis sign.
BUSSES
Bluff students get up as
early as
Students are under the
direction of the bus driver, who is an employee of
About
If your child’s behavior
on the bus becomes a problem for the driver, the driver will issue a citation
explaining the problem. Serious cases
such as fighting or abusive language, and repeated
offenses may get your child suspended from bus service for a period of
time. Your child will need to find
another way to get to school during his bus suspension.
Bus schedules and routes
are available at the office.
Students who ride the bus
are not permitted to change busses unless the office receives word that there
is a serious emergency requiring a change of route for the day. The principal decides on such changes in only
the most urgent of circumstances. Your
call or note must indicate what the emergency is. Insurance regulations prohibit changes to the
passenger list of any of our busses except in the most serious
circumstances. You will need to make
other arrangements if you cannot be at home when your child arrives at his regular
stop.
ABSENCE
School is in session 180
days for students who are older than Preschool age. The staff will work hard to make every day of
the 180 as successful as possible for your child’s education. It is very important that your child attend
every day.
Sometimes children get
sick or injured, or have other reasons why they cannot attend. Please let us know if your child’s injury,
illness, or other circumstance will keep him out of school. Every day a child misses is less of an
education for that child. Don’t let your
child miss any more of his education than absolutely necessary.
Students will be held
responsible for work missed due to absence, though there are limits to what
work can be “made up.” See your child’s
teacher for additional details if your child has been absent.
As a school, our students
attend 95% of the time. That’s pretty
good and a record of which parents, students, and staff should be proud. Students who are absent too much may be
referred to the appropriate FAMILY SERVICES agency for remedial action by the
court. Any student who misses more than
25 days of school of the 180 school days will automatically be considered for
retention, though attendance alone will not “flunk” a student.
TARDINESS
School starts at
PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION
Constant supervision is
provided for students when they are supposed to be on the playground. We have trained staff to supervise all
recesses and to conduct physical education sessions with students.
Preschool will provide its
own playground supervision. Non-students
left unattended should not be on the playground. Playground supervisors and
Supervision begins at
We have an excellent
playground. Our newest equipment was
designed by the staff for a maximum physical development experience and for
safety. The equipment, its placement in
the play area, and the play surface meet all health and safety requirements. We close the playground whenever the sand freezes
or the equipment is slippery. We teach
and enforce safety rules with the children.
Accidents still
happen. For non-emergency accidents,
you will be notified ASAP and we will attend to your child’s needs at school
until you arrive. If emergency treatment
is needed, we will take your child to the nearest appropriate medical treatment
while we attempt to notify you. Your
child’s registration authorizes us to seek emergency treatment.
GENERAL SUPERVISION
Supervision is not
provided after the students are dismissed from school. Bus students are taken to the busses, and
walk-in students are dismissed to go home.
Students will be sent home and are not permitted to hang out at school
after dismissal.
Sometimes children tell us their mom told them to stay after school for
something or to go home with someone else, not their usual bus. Sometimes it’s true and sometimes not. Unless the office receives a signed note from
the child’s parent or a personal contact from the child’s parent, the student
will be put on his regular bus to go home.
MEDICATION
Employees of the District
may administer medication to a student during periods when the student is under
the control of the school, with written and signed request from the parent or
legal guardian. The student’s physician
shall have provided a signed statement describing the method, amount, and time
schedule for administration. All
medication that is to be given at school must be furnished by the parent or
guardian and delivered to the school by a responsible adult. A log will be kept of all administrations of
medications.
CHECK OUT
Check out your child from
the front office if you need to take him out during school hours. On your child’s registration paper there is a
place for individuals authorized to check out or visit your child at
school. Only a written note signed by
you will allow any others to check out or visit with your child.
TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER SCHOOL
If you are checking out
your child to leave for another school, make sure your child had paid all debts
and returned all books and paid all fines and outstanding lunch fees. Fill out the “RELEASE FORM” at the school
office.
VISITATION
Non-custodial parents may
not use school as a place to exercise visitation rights. The school will not enforce a request to deny
visitation or check out rights to one parent unless the request is accompanied
by copies of appropriate court orders.
EARLY RELEASE/SCHOOL CLOSURE
If
KNDN AM 960
KTNN AM 660 Window
Rock
KRMH
FM Red
KRTZ FM
98.7 Cortez
KISZ FM
97.9 Cortez
If school is canceled and
busses don’t run information will be broadcast on the same stations. The first consideration in canceling school
or closing early will be what is the safest procedure
for the children.
HABITS OF SUCCESS (also known as rules )
Students need to learn the
special habits that are needed to become a successful student. Many of these habits are important to work,
training, and personal life, too.
1. Respect other people and their property. Work out your problems in ways that allow
everyone to get what he needs from the situation.
a. Fighting is
strictly forbidden. Even pretend
fighting.
b. Name-calling, harassing, and teasing
are corrected and dealt with as they occur.
c. Bullying and intimidating are not
allowed and will be severely punished.
2. Come prepared. Do
your work and homework on time. Have the
tools and materials you will need with you and ready to use.
3. If you need help, ask for it.
4. Pay close attention while your teacher or other school staff
is talking with you or your group.
5.
Always do your best.
Discipline is most often a matter
of learning what behaviors are most useful in a school setting and learning to
make adjustments in behavior to be a more helpful part of the school
environment
Most
discipline will occur in classrooms and other activity areas and will consist
of instruction and practice toward better behavior and verbal correction. Distracting material such as toys may be
taken and stored by the teacher, or a student may be separated from one or more
classmates within the room. Students who
have not completed assignments may be kept in from recess.
Students
may be removed from class if their behavior is disruptive to the learning
environment for other children. Such
behaviors include distracting other students, hurting or threatening other
students, deliberately disobeying the teacher, destroying or dangerously
misusing property, They will be brought to the office
or other school setting for “time out” until they are ready to do better. Most likely in such a case is that the
student will sit out one or more recesses.
If the student’s disruptive behavior doesn’t improve, he may be
suspended from school for a day or more.
We will usually have spoken with you about this sort of behavior before
a suspension occurs. Violent behavior
toward other students or staff will result in a suspension. Parents will be notified twice (once in a
letter hand carried by the child, once in a mailed or home delivered letter) if
your child is suspended.
Toy guns or
knives or other implements of violence are not allowed. They will be collected and if returned, will
be returned to a parent. Of course, real
guns, knives, et c., will be turned over to the
sheriff. The sheriff’s department will
take responsibility for notifying you that they have your little one in
custody. We will also notify you if we
can.
Paddling by
school personnel was outlawed years ago, but I do have one in my office. If you determine that your child needs a swat
on the bottom, you may come in and use my paddle. I will also consider paddling a student on
parents’ written, signed, and dated request.
We expect every student to do his best work (homework) every day and to behave in such a way as allows other students to focus on their work, too. We view discipline as the process of learning what those behaviors are. Good manners and respectful behavior open doors for your child. Surly, disruptive, “in-your-face,” disrespectful behaviors close the same doors. Our goal is to teach the behavior that will open those doors.
Every class has its own set of rules
in support of these concepts. Class
rules may include no backpacks, no wearing caps in class, and a process for
teaching/warning students before punishments or additional instruction periods
are implemented.
A more detailed policy and
explanation is available at the school.
TOYZ
“R”
NOT
Personal stereo gear,
tapes, CDs, and Game Boys, are expensive and distracting. You cannot do your best when your mind is on
your toys. Also, the school cannot be
responsible for damage, loss, or theft of such equipment. We do not condone stealing, but we cannot
hold up school and transportation while we search for lost or stolen items that
are
Any expensive toys will be
taken by staff and stored in the office vault until day’s end, when the student
from whom the toy was taken may claim it.
The second time (same student, not necessarily the same toy,) the equipment
will be returned
to a parent who picks it up at school.
Please discuss this with
your children and do your best to see that they leave their toys at home. School staff cannot be responsible for theft
or damage to personal items not related to school work.
A separate policy sheet on
skateboards, scooters, and roller blades is available at the office. These are permitted only with parental
permission, and only to each child who brings back a signed release form.
FOOD
Students may not bring food or drink
to consume in class, as it usually detracts from the working atmosphere. Exceptions:
A plastic
water bottle on the desk
Class party
assignments
Teacher-directed
learning activities that involve food
MONEY at SCHOOL
Students generally do not
need money at school. Parents will be
contacted if a child brings more than $5.00.
The money will be taken from the child and put in an envelope in the
office vault until a parent comes to claim it.
We will attempt to contact you by phone, by liaison visit, or as a last
effort, by mail.
PHONE USE
Students are not allowed to make
long distance calls on the school phones.
School phones are for business use.
Student personal use of school phones should be brief and only for
emergencies. School phones are not for
visiting. School phones are not a
substitute for home phone. School
phones are not to be used because a child and his parent forgot to plan and
prepare at home.
ANIMALS
Students are not allowed
to bring any kind of animals to school or on district busses without prior
approval by the principal. Rattlesnakes
in glass jars carried in backpacks are expressly forbidden.
PARENT CONTACT
We intend to notify
parents whenever their children behave in ways that would cause concern, even though
it may not be a disciplinary matter for school.
Communicating with you about your child is not the last option of a
desperate system, but an ongoing cooperation in the growth of your child into a
successful adult. We hope to have many
positive contacts with you about your child throughout the year.
LIAISON OFFICER
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
The School strongly
encourages parental involvement in the school.
You are welcome to visit your child’s classroom/teacher any time. We encourage you to come in after school if
you need to meet with your child’s teacher so that classes are not
interrupted. It is the policy of the
School Board to encourage and facilitate effective communication between
parents of students enrolled in the District and the students, teachers and
administrators.
The most meaningful parent
involvement is what goes on between you and your child. If your child understands that you want him
to be an educated person and that you will be checking frequently with his
teachers, your child will get a better education.
Also, monthly parent
meetings serve as a forum for school level policy discussions and
information. Monthly meetings are
advertised by take home notices, posters, radio announcements on the stations
we use for emergency broadcast, and on our marquis sign. Please join us for these meetings.
SEP CONFERENCES
Goal-setting conferences are
conducted every September. Students and
parents come to meet with teachers and set two or more achievement goals for
each student. These goals are evaluated
in the January meeting. A more detailed
explanation of the SEP (Student Education Plan) statewide process is in the
back of this manual. See the calendar
for dates, and plan to visit your child’s teacher then. Standardized tests are reviewed at both of
these meetings.
HELPFUL HINTS FOR HOME
Television. Children often
imitate violent behavior they see on TV.
For example, we have heard of instances in other schools in which one
child tries a World Wrestling Federation move on another child. Several of these instances have required
medical attention. It is best for your
child not to see much in the way of violent TV until he is old enough to
realize that these events are staged for TV and not the way normal people deal
with each other. Sexy television shows
can communicate attitudes to your child that will spell trouble as she reaches
her teens.
Rest. Try to limit your child’s television time and
to not let him stay up past a reasonable bed time (
Diet: “Junk foods” are so
named because they are low in nutrition (the stuff that makes your brain work
and grows your body) and high in calories.
The high volumes of sugar and fats in junk food are used quickly by your
child’s body, which then sends a “hungry” message to the brain. If your child eats lots of junk food his body
may lose some of its ability to digest “real” food. Eating habits of many junk food “junkies”
have been said to promote diabetes and heart diseases. Junk foods include pop, cookies, cakes,
candy, and chips. Good foods for your
child include meat, fresh or canned vegetables, potatoes, fruit and fruit
juices, breads, pasta, et c. Don’t let your child become a junk food
“junkie.”
Clothes: Your child’s
natural desire to be accepted by peers may lead him to insist on clothing which
you would not want to buy for her. Two
categories: modesty and gangs.
a. Modesty is
covered by District guidelines:
no mesh clothes
no bare bellies, low necklines, or
spaghetti straps
short pants must be longer than the
wearer can reach standing straight with hands at her side.
When boys and girls get
old enough to notice that boys and girls are different, immodest dress can be
very distracting. Please be sure that
the clothes you buy your child establish the habit of modesty for later
years.
b. The GANG look. If you
would like your child to grow up to be a member of a gang, to enjoy the
prestige of having even the police fear him, to enjoy the benefits of sex,
drugs, violence, and intimidation, and the sense of belonging that make gang
activity so attractive, start now by dressing your child in the latest
“floaters” and “baggies.” These clothes
evolved so that gang members could easily conceal automatic weapons and other contraband
which make school such an interesting place to be. Dressing like a gang “wannabe” almost assures
that gang members will be interested in recruiting your child as he gets older.
On the other hand, if you
hope your child will be a serious student, resist
the pressure he may apply at
Wal-Mart for you to buy him the “gang” look. It is really difficult to draw a line here
between current fashion and the “gang” look, so use
your best judgment. We will notify you
if we have a concern. Chains, bandannas,
long metal-tipped web belts, and other typical gang wear accessories will be
collected and sent home.
It is prohibited by
district policy to wear or display gang or gang related hand signals, clothes,
colors or paraphernalia.
Homework: Does your child
have a place at home where he can do homework?
Establish such a place to increase the prospect that your child will do
his. The kitchen table after supper is
an excellent place.
Parenting: Not easy these
days. Our kids see and hear things we
would never have seen or heard when we were their age. Be firm when you say “NO” to your
children-sometimes you really have nothing more than an uneasy feeling to rely
on. And always remind them how much you
love them. Talk to other parents you
trust and see if they are having similar experiences, and find out how they
handle it. The principal is also a
parent and will be happy to hear your concerns at any time. Good luck, moms and dads. Working together we can help our children
grow up well.
STUDENT RECORDS
A confidential record of
your child’s school experience is kept on file in the office. Only teachers and school staff who have
direct responsibility for your child may see this record. You may see it at any time and have a copy of
any document in it. If you believe that
this policy has been violated, inform the principal of the problem. He will investigate and take corrective
action. You may appeal his action to the
District Human Resources director.
Each student also has a
writing portfolio in which samples of his writing are kept over the years. Your child’s teacher will show you this at
conferences. You may see it any time the
teacher is free to get it out for you.
CURRICULUM
Bluff teachers follow the
Utah State CORE curriculum for their grade levels. We believe that all students can achieve the
goals of the State CORE curriculum and we are dedicated to providing the kind
of instruction that will help all children reach the CORE goals. The emphasis of instruction at Bluff is
literacy.
Bluff teachers also follow
the instructional guidelines of the District and Bluff Language Development
Plan, which specifies sheltered content and English as a Second Language
instruction. Copies of these plans are
available from the school and district offices.
LANGUAGE ARTS INSTRUCTION
Reading and writing
instruction at
Literacy instruction
includes reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The McMillan/McGraw-Hill program is
the main element of literacy instruction.
We also use Accelerated Reader for the independent reading
portion of our program in grades 2-6.
Teachers are being constantly trained in new and better methods of
instruction in using novels, classroom discussions, and various techniques to
increase students’ comprehension skills.
Students in grades 2-6 are also required to spend 15-30 minutes per day
on the Computer Curriculum Corporation Reading curriculum.
Writing instruction uses
the Process Model to teach Six Traits of Effective Writing, which is the basis
of the District’s annual writing assessment in grades 3-6. Each teacher keeps a portfolio of your
child’s written compositions. You may
view this if you want to see first-hand how your child’s writing has improved.
Further training this year
will come to our teachers through the Reading First grant. Our teachers will be pursuing their
endorsements as reading specialists and receiving training from the best
reading experts in the nation.
ACCELERATED READER
The Accelerated Reader
Program is promoted aggressively at
In full weeks of school
students will bring home a log sheet to record how much time they read at
home. Students can read to you or have
you read to them if they cannot read on their own. Older students should read on
their own mostly. You fill in the
minutes they read under each category and total the day. Your child needs to be responsible to get
this back to school on Friday, with signatures and times. If the 80 minute requirement is met, your
child gets a prize on Friday.
CCC
provides practice opportunities on the computer for students in Math and
The
Waterford Early Reading program provides training and practice for students in
Kindergarten and First Grade. The
kindergarten level also includes math.
Students spend 15-30 minutes per day with the program for each
topic. The computer tracks performance
and assigns new work based on how well and how quickly each problem is
finished. Individual reports may be
sent home from time to time. See your
child’s teacher after school for a demonstration.
The
State of Utah has assigned elementary schools to assure that students can type
quickly and accurately. Bluff School
does this in a small keyboard lab in the library. Students in grades 2-6 attend every day for a
quarter to complete a keyboard training program. Later in the year students spend another
quarter learning keyboarding in a different program. We hope to report keyboarding speed and
accuracy on report cards for grades 3-6.
Students may only access Internet with parent
permission AND teacher permission.
Permission will be given for research projects and skill
development.
On-line gaming is not permitted because it ties up
needed computer time and memory and isn’t usually relevant to school
subjects. Gaming time without saves may
be made available to students who are finished early with assignments if other
students don’t need to work on the computer.
Internet use is tracked by the district. Users can be identified by their log-in. Inappropriate Internet use or generally
unruly behavior will result in the withdrawal of Internet privileges by the
teacher or principal. You do not have to
sign your child up for Internet use:
though Internet may be helpful for some assignments, it will not be
required.
The school
district does filter the content of the Internet so that identifiable pornography
and other material inappropriate for school use are filtered out. Filters are not reliable, however, and if
your child tells you about visiting a site you feel is inappropriate, let the
principal know right away.
Teachers use the District program in
math, the HBJ Math Advantage textbook.
They supplement the lesson plans in this text with hands-on experiences
to make math concepts clear to students.
Classroom instruction is supplemented by the Computer Curriculum
Corporation Math curriculum. Each child
in grades 2-6 needs to spend 15 minutes per day on the math program.
All students will be taught to
speak, read, and write Navajo during a half-hour language lesson.
Parents who wish to have their children
excused from these activities may sign a form in the office. Teachers will then design valuable
alternative activities for children who are excused.
Students in
grades 3-6 who fail to achieve 35th NCE on the total reading and
total math sections of the Stanford Achievement Test (September-see testing
schedule) will be required to go to summer school to be promoted. You will be notified by mail.
Students can be excused from
summer school if they score at Mastery or Near Mastery level on the State CORE
test given in May. First and Second
grade students who do not pass the CORE test will also go to summer
school. Students who have not met
District math goals for their grade will also be required to attend summer
school.
Summer school will be four weeks
in June. Only students who are required
to attend will be invited, due to budget and staff availability. In better years, non-needy students may be
invited. Details will be provided as the
end of each school year approaches.
Students who do not meet their
grade level goals in summer school will be recommended for retention in
grade. While this may seem harsh, it may
be helpful in the long run: Students will
all be required to pass a reading, math, and science test in Grade 10 in order
to graduate from high school. The best
way to be prepared is to meet the grade level standards, even if it takes
another year to do it. Every retention in grade will be an individual decision
involving the teacher, the parent, and the principal. Each retention recommendation will be based
on the long-term best interest of the child.
The
school year is divided into 4 reporting periods. All students should receive a report card
within three working days of the end of each report period. If your child does not show you a report card
by then, ask him for it. If he says he
didn’t get on, call or stop in to ask his teacher or the principal why.
Grades
4, 5, and 6 are now using the Student Information System to keep track of students’
work. The system can be accessed from
any computer that is connected to the Internet.
A terminal will be left in the hall outside the library during the
school day for this purpose. Please get
the information you need to operate it from Mr. Clarke. This is how you access your child’s grades:
1.
Turn on the computer
2.
Log in with your user name
and password. (You will have already
received this from Mr. Clarke) The San
Juan School District home page will show.
3.
On the left side of the home
page, double click “Student Information System.”
4.
Put in your child’s number
under “username” and your password. (You
will have already received these from Mr. Clarke.)
5.
Look for the information for
the term you want.
TESTING
Bluff students participate
in the following testing programs.:
Name of Test When given Given to
District Writing Assessment January 3-6
State CORE assessments May 1-6
Kindergarten Assessment August, May K
IPT Oral Language April K-6 as needed
IPT Reading, Writing April 2-6
STARS reading quarterly readers
Quick Informal Assessment as needed K, new students
Additional reading and
math testing will be conducted throughout the year to track your child’s
progress in the school’s standards. You
will receive periodic notification of progress.
Any and all of this
information will be made available to you as soon as possible after we receive
it.
STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY
Parents and students need
to be aware that changes were made in student accountability during the 2000
legislative session. Utah has now
entered the era of what is referred to as “high stakes testing.” Briefly stated, this means that students will
be held accountable for their performance on the standardized testing required
by the State. In Utah this system is
referred to as U-PASS.
U-PASS provides that
teachers shall use the results of standardized testing as one measure in
determining a student’s academic grade in a related course. Student test performance shall also be
considered in the decision of whether or not a student is promoted from one
grade to another. A student’s
performance on tenth grade basic skills testing shall be recorded on a
student’s transcript. Students entering
the tenth grade in 2003-2004 (current year seventh graders) must pass the basic
skills competency test in order to graduate from high school. Parents and teachers need to encourage their
students to perform as well as they can on the State Core tests each May and on
the SAT-9 tests each fall. How students
perform will now have important consequence for them.
The school district has recently adopted an accountability plan for students, parents, teachers, and administration. A copy is available at school. An appendix at the back of this booklet shows the areas of parent and student accountability. Students will be required to pass their CORE reading and math tests at grade level in order to be promoted. If your child was a student here in May when last year’s CORE test was given, you have received a copy of his scores. Passing scores require “Near Mastery.” (This is in addition to testing the school has been doing.) You can see right away if your child would have passed under this standard. If you have lost this information, a copy can be made at the school office for you. What are we each (parent, teacher, student, and administration) going to do to make sure all our children earn a promotion? Please feel free to discuss this issue with your child’s teacher as soon as you can.
OPEN DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS
Every teacher keeps an
OPEN DISCLOSURE statement to guide classroom instructional activities. You will
be provided a copy of this statement if you visit your child’s teacher during
registration. If you have questions,
visit your child’s teacher.
REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS
Report cards are issued
after the end of each quarter (see the calendar in the appendix.) Additional reports will be sent by mail or by
liaison if your child gets behind in her work.
Teachers will be in touch often to assure the best learning experience
for your child. You are encouraged to
stop by after the students leave to discuss your child’s progress with her
teacher any day.
TECHNOLOGY and the INTERNET
Bluff School runs an
up-to-date computer system and enough computers that students have access for
all their work. The major areas for
students are the Computer Curriculum Corporation programs and the Accelerated
Reader program. Students also have
access for word processing, data base, spread sheet, graphics, Internet, and
E-mail functions. Every student signs a
statement that says he will not access internet sites which are pornographic,
violent, or advocate illegal activity.
Students who violate this rule may lose computer privileges. The district maintains filters that prevent
students from accessing most objectionable sites.
FEES
No fees are charged for
your child’s education. Any child may be
asked to bring common household items for special projects, but will not be
required to purchase any supplies that are necessary for school for the work
they are asked to do. This is state
law. If you believe you are being
charged a fee for something that should be provided, contact the
principal.
All textbooks will be
provided. However, only one copy of the
textbook will be provided to each child.
No fee will be charged for textbook use.
If the textbook is damaged or lost, you will be required to cover the
cost of a replacement copy. State law
permits schools to assess a replacement cost.
Library books are
available to all students. Students can
access the library almost any time during the school day, subject to teacher
permission. We want to encourage students
to read as much as possible and to enjoy reading. Check-out privileges may be suspended for
students who fail to return books promptly.
Students and parents will be required to pay for lost or damaged
books. State law permits this.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips are encouraged
to support students’ academic experiences, subject to principal’s approval and
funding available. District policy
forbids overnight field trips by elementary students, in any school and related
activities involving school employees or school funds.
BLUFF
SCHOOL SCHEDULE 2004-2005
7:45 Breakfast
8:00 All students report to classes to
begin studies
9:45 Preschool recess
10:00 Primary Recess: Teachers supervise
10:15 Primary classes return to studies
10:30 Intermediate Recess: Teachers supervise
10:45 Intermediate classes return to studies
11:00 Preschool lunch
11:10 Primary lunch served.
11:55 Primary students return to studies
12:00 Intermediate lunch served
12:30 Intermediate students return to
studies
2:00 Primary recess
2:15 Primary students return to classes,
Preschool recess
2:30 Preschool students return to
studies, Intermediate recess or Physical Education
2:35 Clean-up and prepare to leave for
the day
2:40 Dismiss to busses
On Fridays, teachers have
the afternoon for planning, inservice, and parent
conferences. The children are dismissed
at 1:00 PM on Friday.
A Monthly calendar and
school lunch menu will be given to students the first of each month.
Teacher Day #!
Teacher Day #2
Teacher Day #3
Registration begins:
School Starts:
Labor Day
First SEP Conference
SAT testing starts
SAT testing done
UEA break:
Teacher #4
Thanksgiving
Christmas Break
School
closed for Christmas/New Years
Presidents’ Day
Teacher Day #7
Bilingual Conference
Spring Break
CRT Testing Monday 02-06 May 2005
Memorial Day
Last day students:
Last day teachers:
1st Quarter August 23 –
2nd Quarter November 1 – January 14 46days
3rd Quarter January 18- March 17 42days
4th Quarter March 21 -
Bluff Elementary School Staff
2004/2005
Anderson, Cindy School
Counselor
Atcitty, Barbara Preschool
Aide
Bellson, Patricia
Bus
Driver
Burand, Robin 3rd Grade
Teacher
Buck,
Daisy School Secretary
Buck,
Leila Preschool/SpEd
Aide
Carson,
Kathy Kindergarten Teacher
Charles,
Leroy Custodian
Clarke,
Al Principal
Dee,
Rachael Bus Driver
Langston,
Camille Special Education
Lansing, Rosalie Liaison
Lee, Julie 2nd Grade Teacher
Maryboy, Bruce Bus Driver
Neal,
Darlene Bilingual Aide
Pakish, Kathleen Preschool
Teacher
Platero, Mary 5th
& 6th Grade Teacher
Redhorse, Peter Senior Community Service Program Sampson,
Mary Rose Kitchen Manager
Todachinnie, Connie 1st
Grade